*Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, Chairman, Rivers State TUC
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Trade Union Congress, TUC, has urged the Rivers State Government to set up a crude oil refinery in the state as an investor, and also support in ensuring that the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, benefits host communities.
Chairman of TUC in Rivers State, Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, who made the call at the 2023 Labour Day celebrations in Port Harcourt on Monday, also commended Governor Nyesom Wike for his intervention in curbing crude oil theft, illegal refining and the concomitant black soot in the state.
According to him, Rivers State remains key to the survival of Nigeria as a nation and remains the state with the highest recorded environmental degradation due to oil exploration and production activities, yet, suffers insignificant presence of Federal infrastructure, development and assistance.
“This is a very disturbing trend, nevertheless, the PIA made provisions for Host Communities Development as outlined in Chapter 3 sections 234- 257 of the Act. The Organized Labour hereby request your usual support to ensure implementation of this act for the benefit of Rivers State Communities.
“Your Excellency Sir, we also note that NNPC Ltd. issues crude oil refining license to investors and as a business partner, the Organized Labour in Rivers State feel that Rivers State should proceed to acquire such license as an investor, this will
further support the state government’s economic growth initiatives and create more employment opportunities. Rivers State should be the first to set up a state-owned refinery, it is doable. We have the manpower and the resources.
“The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) wish to thank you for your intervention to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and black soot. You surprised us by taking the lead to visit illegal bunkering sites and taking actions to stop the illicit trade irrespective of the risks involved. Your action triggered stakeholders’ interest and crude oil production improved from below 1 million barrels per day to over 1.4millions barrels per day today.
“Also, the illicit trade introduced black soot menace to Rivers State with attendant rise in respiratory diseases, skin cancer, kidney and liver damages as recorded by hospitals in Rivers State. Thanks to you Sir, for taking prompt action to save Rivers
people,” the TUC boss said.
For his part, the Rivers State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, appealed to the state government to increase the periodic allocations for the payment of pension arrears and gratuity to retirees.
“Having acknowledged the release of funds for the payment of pension arrears and gratuity, we are constraints to draw the attention of Your Excellency to the fact that, considering the prolonged non-payment of pension arrears and gratuities since 2013 has led to a large number of pensioners and retires, so much that the amount being released seems less impactful.
“It is on this premise we humbly appeal on Your Excellency to consider increasing the periodic allocations for the payment of pension arrears and gratuity to pensioners and retirees for a wider coverage and more evident to put more smiles on the faces of those affected including relieving their pathetic conditions.”
For his part, the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, assured that his administration will conclude the promotion of civil servants in the state before the expiration of his tenure on May 29th 2023.
“Already, we have approved the promotion of over 4,000 eligible civil servants to the their appropriate levels and we have directed the state civil service commission to issue them appropriate letters on that effect.
“We have initiated the employment if 10,000 youths into the civil service to reduce unemployment in the state. I assure you that the governor-elect, who is from your constituency (labour) will do well,” he said.
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